David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (613)
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Reviews
Hidden Bench Terroir Caché Meritage 2009, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$38.20
This deep ruby Bordeaux blend offers aromas of raw meat, cassis, dark fruit, anise, dill and other herbal notes. It's medium bodied on the palate, juicy, with sticky and pleasant tannins that are softening as we speak. Nicely balanced, this Meritage is well suited for prime rib dinners. It's drinkable over the next 3 to 4 years - just in time for the more heralded 2010 vintage to come into its own. Dec. 2014.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Lungarotti Rubesco Riserva Vigna Monticchio 2010, Doc Torgiano Rosso Riserva
Umbria, Italy$55.95
Aging nicely, this 11 year old Umbrian Sangiovese is quite complex with secondary and tertiary notes complementing the dried fruit. Red plum, cherry, soy, leather, tomato leaf, vanillin, chocolate, and hints of wet paint (adding interest, not at fault levels). Good acidity and dusty tannin that still has some traction. The length is excellent. May hold for a few more years but very enjoyable now. June 2021.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Norman Hardie County Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2011, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$35.00
Norman Hardies's County pinot is a pretty cherry colour. Generous aromas of red fruit and minerality with a touch of barnyard. On the palate this pinot is light to mid weight offering juicy cherry and red berry fruits, minerality and a supporting seam of acidity. Beautifully balanced, wonderfully elegant with lingering finesse. The tannins seem to be softening making the wine very approachable right now. Feb. 2014.
4.0 Stars
Quintay Winemaker's Experience Blend 2015, Do Maipo Valley
Maipo Valley, Chile$23.10
A substantial, highly extracted and concentrated red blend. Shows viscous stained tears and an inky ruby colour. The nose is lifted with violet, red and dark fruit, baking spice (cinnamon and clove), pepper, graphite, pencil shaving and vanillin. Just enough acidity to keep things fresh along with substantial tannic presence. Medium plus to full body and excellent length. Alcohol is a bit warm (14.5% abv) but may integrate with time, which is what the wine needs for overall integration. 92 points with potential for an additional 1-2 points in a couple of years. Aug. 2019.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Norman Hardie County Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2012, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$39.00
Light, almost translucent pretty cherry colour. A little funk to start followed by that now classic PEC minerality. Cran, cherry, red berry fruit with a hint of nutmeg. The 2012 keeps it's vibrancy with tart acidity and tension in the face of a very warm vintage. Excellent to outstanding length. Another fine effort from Norm. Jan. 2015.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Flat Rock The Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2013, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$26.95
Wow, given the quality relative to the price point for this Bench Chard, this is a steal. Aromas of apple, pear, melon, citrus with well integrated oak, creamy mouthfeel, balanced acidity and excellent length. Aug. 2016.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Marqués De Cáceres Gran Reserva 2004, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$29.95
This GR Rioja is just starting to hit its stride. It still displays some vibrancy in colour. Aromas are wet leather, barn, meat, cherry and oak. Similar replays on the palate, with cherries, vanilla, spice and mocha. It's medium to full on the mouthfeel with oak noticable but not dominant. There's alcohol heat (served slightly chilled) and tannins are chalky (decant at least 1/2 hour and they'll lose some traction). A seam of acidity allows for a variety of food pairing, but it sips nicely on its own. Feb. 2014.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Château Des Charmes Equuleus Paul Bosc Estate Vineyards 2010, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$30.00
This dark ruby 2010 Bordeaux blend exhibits dark fruit on the nose and palate. French oak aging is manifest by chocolate, spice box and cedar. This is drinking nicely now with decanting or paired with a steak, but tannins still have some grip. It could cellar a few years yet. Very smooth. Excellent length. June 2014.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Donnafugata Floramundi 2018, Docg Cerasuolo Di Vittoria
Sicily, Italy$27.95
This Cerasuolo di Vittoria offering from Donnafugata combines the Frappato grape (lighter colour) with Nero d'Avola. Medium bodied and fragrant, with aromas of red cherry and red berry, and nicely integrated oak flavours (spice, smoke). Well balanced, refreshing acidity and excellent length add to an overall elegant wine. Well done. June 2022.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2010, Mornington Peninsula
Victoria, Australia$29.75
Light straw colour. Toasty, smoky aromas with mineral oil and slightly burnt popcorn. On the palate this cool climate chard has some heat, lemony citrus flavours with more toasty notes, nutty brulee, a hint of earthiness and juicy acidity. With all it's depth and complexity there's a sense of finesse, almost restraint. Very well done, particularly at the bin end sale price. Would be a fine accompaniment for roasted nuts and smoked cheese nibbles. Feb. 2014.
4.0 Stars
(0)V